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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-153646

This preliminary prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, but is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated September 24, 2008

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated September 24, 2008)

$                    

The Stanley Works

    % Notes due 2013

 

 

We will pay interest on the notes on                      and                      of each year, commencing on                 . The notes mature on                     , 2013. The notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. We may redeem some or all of the notes at any time before maturity at the “make-whole” price discussed under the caption “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.” As described under “Description of the Notes—Change of Control,” if we experience a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event, we will be required to purchase the notes from holders at a price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase, unless we have previously redeemed the notes.

The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement to read about important factors you should consider before buying the notes.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

		Per Note			Total
Initial public offering price			%		$
Underwriting discount			%		$
Proceeds, before expenses, to The Stanley Works			%		$

The initial public offering price set forth above does not include accrued interest, if any. Interest on the notes will accrue from                     , 2008 and must be paid by the purchasers if the notes are delivered after                     , 2008.

 

 

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, and Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, against payment in New York, New York on                     , 2008.

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Banc of America Securities LLC		Citi

 

 

Co-Manager

Wachovia Securities

September     , 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT		S-1
SUMMARY		S-2
RISK FACTORS		S-6
USE OF PROCEEDS		S-8
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES		S-9
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS		S-16
UNDERWRITING		S-18
LEGAL MATTERS		S-21

Prospectus

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		3
THE STANLEY WORKS		5
RISK FACTORS		5
USE OF PROCEEDS		5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		5
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		16
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		22
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		24
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS		26
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		27
LEGAL MATTERS		28
EXPERTS		28

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

You should rely only upon the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents they incorporate by reference. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the underwriters are making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume the information appearing in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus supplement contains the terms of this offering of notes. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus may have added, updated or changed information in the accompanying prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in the accompanying prospectus (or any information incorporated therein by reference), this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede such information in the accompanying prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents they incorporate by reference in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the additional information under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the notes involves certain risks. In consultation with your own financial and legal advisers, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the following discussion of risks and the discussion of risks relating to our business under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and any updates to such risks in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q before deciding whether an investment in the notes is suitable for you. The notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are unsophisticated with respect to the significant terms of the notes or financial matters.

Risk Factors Relating to the Notes

An active trading market for the notes may not develop.

We cannot assure you that an active trading market for the notes will develop or as to the liquidity or sustainability of any such market, the ability of the holders to sell their notes or the price at which holders of the notes will be able to sell their notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our performance and other factors. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or other market.

We cannot assure you as to the market price for the notes. If you are able to resell your notes, the price you receive will depend on many other factors that may vary over time, including:

 

•

our credit ratings;

 

•

the number of potential buyers;

 

•

the level of liquidity of the notes;

 

•

our financial performance;

 

•

the amount of total indebtedness we have outstanding;

 

•

the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates and credit spreads generally;

 

•

the market for similar securities;

 

•

the repayment and redemption features of the notes; and

 

•

the time remaining until your notes mature.

As a result of these and other factors, you may be able to sell your notes only at a price below that which you believe to be appropriate, including a price below the price you paid for them.

There is no limit on our ability to create additional notes.

Under the terms of the Indenture (as defined herein) under which the notes will be issued, we may from time to time without notice to, or the consent of, the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes identical to the notes in all respects (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the new notes or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of the new notes) so that the new notes may be consolidated and form a single series with the notes.

We are both an operating company and a holding company and may require cash from our subsidiaries to make payments on the notes.

The notes are solely our obligation, and no other entity will have any obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make payments in respect of the notes. While we have substantial operations of our own, we are also a holding company for several direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries will have no obligation to make payments

 

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in respect of the notes. Accordingly, we may depend, in part, on dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our obligations under the indenture governing the notes, including payment of interest. As described above, as an equity holder of our subsidiaries, our ability to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary is “structurally subordinate” to the claims of the creditors of that subsidiary. If we are unable to obtain cash from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to fund required payments in respect of the notes.

Our ability to repurchase notes upon a change of control may be limited.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined herein), each holder of notes will have the right to require us to repurchase the holder’s notes. If a Change of Control Triggering Event were to occur, but we did not have sufficient funds to pay the repurchase price for all of the notes which were tendered, that failure would constitute an event of default under the Indenture. Therefore, the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event at a time when we could not pay for the notes which were tendered as a result of the Change of Control Triggering Event could result in holders of notes receiving substantially less than the principal amount of the notes.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $             million, after expenses and underwriters’ discounts and commissions. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to reduce our outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program and/or other short-term obligations and for other general corporate purposes.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

General

The notes will be issued under an indenture dated as of November 1, 2002 (the “Indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The following description of the particular terms of the notes supplements the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus.

The notes:

 

•

will be unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities,

 

•

will initially be limited to $                     aggregate principal amount,

 

•

will mature on                     , 2013,

 

•

will bear interest from                     , 2008 at the rate of     % per annum,

 

•

will pay interest semiannually, in arrears, on                     , and                     , commencing on                     to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on the preceding                     and                     , respectively, and

 

•

will be issued in book-entry form only.

As used in this “Description of the Notes”, the terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include our subsidiaries.

Optional Redemption

At any time and from time to time, the notes are redeemable, as a whole or in part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000), at our option, on at least 30 days, and not more than 60 days, prior notice mailed to the registered address of each holder of the notes, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

 

•

100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, or

 

•

the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of interest and principal on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to, but not including, the date of redemption) discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis, assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus              basis points,

plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption; provided that the principal amount of a note remaining outstanding after a redemption in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the notes called for redemption will become due and payable on the redemption date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (A) the arithmetic average of four Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the Trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the arithmetic average of all such quotations for such redemption date.

 

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“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us; provided, that if such Reference Treasury Dealer ceases to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means Banc of America Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and two other primary U.S. Government securities dealers in The City of New York selected by us; provided, that if any of the foregoing dealers shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in The City of New York (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we will substitute another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York City time on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

On and after the redemption date for the notes, interest will cease to accrue on the notes or any portion thereof called for redemption, unless we default in the payment of the redemption price. On or before the redemption date for the notes, we will deposit with a paying agent, or the Trustee, funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on such notes to be redeemed on such date. If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the notes to be redeemed will be selected by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate.

Change of Control

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, unless we have exercised our option to redeem all notes then outstanding, you will have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part (equal to an integral multiple of $1,000) of your notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”); provided that the principal amount of a note outstanding after a repurchase in part shall be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. In the Change of Control Offer, we will offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, we will mail a notice to you describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the notes on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures and described in such notice. We will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of the notes, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflicts.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

•

accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

•

deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

 

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deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being purchased by us and the amount to be paid by the paying agent.

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of a repurchase at the option of holders, the following definitions are applicable:

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the notes are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any two of the three Rating Agencies).

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of us and our subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than us or one of our subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding total voting power of all shares of our capital stock entitled to vote generally in elections of directors; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of our board of directors are not Continuing Directors.

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the date the notes were first issued; or (2) was nominated for election or elected to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination or election.

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and its successors.

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its successors.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its successors.

Defeasance

The defeasance provisions described under “Description of Debt Securities—Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus will apply to the Notes.

 

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Book-Entry System

The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, which we refer to along with its successors in this capacity as the depositary, will act as securities depositary for the notes. The notes will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., the depositary’s nominee. One or more fully registered global security certificates, representing the total aggregate principal amount of the notes, will be issued and will be deposited with the depositary or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer referred to below.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the notes so long as the notes are represented by global security certificates.

Investors may elect to hold interests in the global notes through either DTC in the U.S. or Clearstream or Euroclear, in Europe if they are participants of such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

DTC advises that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with it and facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, including transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. The depositary is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Access to DTC’s system is also available to others, including securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear transactions through or maintain a direct or indirect custodial relationship with a direct participant either directly, or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations, or Clearstream Participants, and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a registered bank in Luxembourg, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Commission for the Supervision of the Financial Sector (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Clearstream is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to interests in the notes held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures.

 

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Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear, or Euroclear Participants, and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by Euroclear Bank S. A. /N. V., or Euroclear Operator. All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and the related Operating Procedures of Euroclear, and applicable Belgian law, which we refer to collectively as the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants, and has no records of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to the notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.

We will issue the notes in definitive certificated form if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or the depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, beneficial interests in a global security certificate may be exchanged for definitive certificated notes upon request by or on behalf of the depositary in accordance with customary procedures following the request of a beneficial owner seeking to exercise or enforce its rights under such notes. If we determine at any time that the notes shall no longer be represented by global security certificates, we will inform the depositary of such determination who will, in turn, notify participants of their right to withdraw their beneficial interest from the global security certificates, and if such participants elect to withdraw their beneficial interests, we will issue certificates in definitive form in exchange for such beneficial interests in the global security certificates. Any global note, or portion thereof, that is exchangeable pursuant to this paragraph will be exchangeable for security certificates, as the case may be, registered in the names directed by the depositary. We expect that these instructions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global security certificates.

As long as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of the global security certificates, the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global security certificates and all notes represented by these certificates for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in global security certificates:

 

•

will not be entitled to have the notes represented by these global security certificates registered in their names, and

 

•

will not be considered to be owners or holders of the global security certificates or any notes represented by these certificates for any purpose under the notes or the indenture.

All payments on the notes represented by global security certificates and all transfers and deliveries of related notes will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of such securities.

 

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Ownership of beneficial interests in the global security certificates will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in global security certificates will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary or its nominee, with respect to participants’ interests, or any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by the participant on their behalf. Payments, transfers, deliveries, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in global security certificates may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. Neither we nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in global security certificates, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the depositary’s records or any participant’s records relating to these beneficial ownership interests.

Although the depositary has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the global security certificates among participants, the depositary is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures, and these procedures may be discontinued at any time. We will not have any responsibility for the performance by the depositary or its direct participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing the depositary.

The information in this section concerning the depositary, its book-entry system, Clearstream and Euroclear has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we have not attempted to verify the accuracy of this information.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream Participants and/or Euroclear Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream Participants or Euroclear Participants, on the other, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC rules; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time).

Because of time-zone differences, credits of the notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC Participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits or any transactions in such notes settled during such processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear Participant or Clearstream Participant on such business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of the notes by or through a Clearstream Participant or a Euroclear Participant to a DTC Participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of notes among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be discontinued or changed at any time.

 

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Further Issues

We may from time to time, without notice to or consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes of the same tenor, coupon and other terms as the notes, so that such notes and the notes offered hereby will form a single series. We refer to this additional issuance of notes as a “further issue.”

Purchasers of the notes we are offering, after the date of any further issue, will not be able to differentiate between the notes sold as part of the further issue and previously issued notes. If we were to issue notes with original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons that are subject to U.S. federal income taxation who purchase notes after such further issue may be required to accrue original issue discount with respect to their notes. This may affect the price of outstanding notes as a result of a further issue. Purchasers are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. tax implications of any future decision by us to undertake a further issue of additional notes with original issue discount.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. This discussion applies only to a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined below) that acquires the notes pursuant to this offering at the initial offering price. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations and judicial decisions and administrative interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is limited to investors that hold the notes as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, this discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be applicable to investors in light of their particular circumstances, or to investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, entities that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. holders of notes, dealers in securities or currencies, expatriates, persons deemed to sell the notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code and persons that hold the notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any U.S. federal estate or gift tax consequences or any state, local or foreign tax consequences. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes.

For purposes of this summary, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual that is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized under the laws of the United States, any of the States or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust (A) if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary control over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust, or (B) that has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) owns notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnership that owns the notes should consult their tax advisors as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to them.

Non-U.S. Holders

Interest

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on payments of interest on the notes provided that (i) such interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder (or, if certain tax treaties apply, if such interest is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States but is not attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder) and (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder (A) does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock, (B) is not a controlled foreign corporation related to us directly or constructively through stock ownership, and (C) satisfies certain certification requirements. Such certification requirements will be met if (x) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name and address, and certifies on IRS Form W-8BEN (or a substantially similar form), under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person or (y) a securities clearing organization or certain other financial institutions holding the note on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies on IRS Form W-8IMY, under penalties of perjury, that such certification has been received by it and furnishes us or our paying agent with a copy thereof. In addition, we or our paying agent must not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner of the note is a U.S. person.

 

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If interest on the notes is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by a Non-U.S. Holder, but such Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the other requirements outlined above, interest on the notes will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower applicable treaty rate).

If interest on the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder, and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States, then the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest in the same manner as if such holder were a U.S. person and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate). However, any such interest will not also be subject to withholding tax if the Non-U.S. Holder delivers to us a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to claim an exemption from withholding tax.

Disposition of the Notes

Subject to the discussion below concerning backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder will not generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes. A Non-U.S. Holder also generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such gain unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States by the Non-U.S. Holder and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder within the United States, or (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a nonresident alien individual, such holder is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other conditions are satisfied. In the case described above in (i), gain or loss recognized on the disposition of such notes will generally be subject to U.S. federal income taxation in the same manner as if such gain or loss were recognized by a U.S. person, and, in the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation, may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower applicable treaty rate). In the case described above in (ii), the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to 30% tax (or lower applicable treaty rate) on any capital gain recognized on the disposition of the notes, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

A Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to comply with certain certification procedures in order to establish that such holder is not a U.S. person in order to avoid backup withholding with respect to payments of principal and interest on or the proceeds of a disposition of the notes. In addition, we must report annually to the IRS and to each Non-U.S. Holder the amount of any interest paid to such Non-U.S. Holder and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to such interest. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and the amount of any tax withheld may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely provided to the IRS.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We and the underwriters for the offering named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the notes. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the principal amount of notes indicated in the following table.

 

Underwriters		Principal Amount of Notes
Banc of America Securities LLC		$
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Wachovia Securities, LLC
Total		$

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the notes being offered, if any are taken.

Notes sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus supplement. Any notes sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount from the public offering price of up to    % of the principal amount of notes. Any such securities dealers may resell any notes purchased from the underwriters to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount from the public offering price of up to    % of the principal amount of notes. If all the notes are not sold at the initial offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We have been advised by the underwriters that the underwriters intend to make a market in the notes but are not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes.

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of notes than they are required to purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the notes while the offering is in progress.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

These activities by the underwriters, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the notes. As a result, the price of the notes may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If these activities are commenced, they may be discontinued by the underwriters at any time. These transactions may be effected in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $            .

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

The underwriters and their affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various lending, financial advisory and investment banking services for us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In particular, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC are the lead arrangers and book runners of our credit facility, which consists of an $800 million

 

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revolving credit agreement we entered into on February 27, 2008 with Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC, as lead arrangers and book runners, and Bank of America, N.A. as syndication agent.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the Relevant Implementation Date) it has not made and will not make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the notes which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of notes to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

(a)

to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

 

(b)

to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts;

 

(c)

in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of notes to the public” in relation to any notes in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(a)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us, and

 

(b)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong

The notes may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong),

 

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and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the Securities and Exchange Law) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Kathryn P. Sherer, Assistant General Counsel of The Stanley Works and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York are representing The Stanley Works in connection with this offering. The underwriters are being represented by Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York. Ms. Sherer beneficially owns and has rights to acquire less than one percent of our common stock.

 

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Prospectus

The Stanley Works

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Depositary Shares

Stock Purchase Contracts

and

Stock Purchase Units

We may offer, issue and sell, together or separately:

 

•

shares of our common stock;

 

•

shares of our preferred stock;

 

•

debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

•

warrants to purchase our debt securities, shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights;

 

•

depositary shares representing an interest in our preferred stock;

 

•

stock purchase contracts to purchase shares of our common stock; and

 

•

stock purchase units, each representing ownership of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third-parties, including U.S. treasury securities or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holder’s obligation to purchase our common stock or other securities under the stock purchase contracts.

We will provide the specific prices and terms of these securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus at the time of offering. You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Investing in our securities involves a number of risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 5 before you make your investment decision.

We may offer securities through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by one or more underwriters or dealers, through agents or directly to purchasers. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering. For general information about the distribution of securities offered, please see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SWK.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is September 24, 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		3
THE STANLEY WORKS		5
RISK FACTORS		5
USE OF PROCEEDS		5
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		5
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES		6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		16
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		22
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		24
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS		26
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		27
LEGAL MATTERS		28
EXPERTS		28

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an “automatic shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may sell common stock; preferred stock; debt securities; warrants to purchase debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights; depositary shares; stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units. This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us, together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

The information in this prospectus is accurate as of the date on the front cover. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.

When used in this prospectus, the terms “The Stanley Works,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Stanley Works and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may read and copy all or any portion of this information at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. We maintain a website at www.stanleyworks.com. The information on our web site is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and you should not consider it a part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about The Stanley Works at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any subsequently filed document deemed incorporated by reference. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that The Stanley Works has previously filed with the SEC (other than information deemed furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules, including Items 2.02 and 7.01 of Form 8-K). These documents contain important information about The Stanley Works and its finances.

 

•

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007;

 

•

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 29, 2008 and June 28, 2008;

 

•

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 9, 2008, March 4, 2008, March 14, 2008, April 24, 2008, June 13, 2008, July 23, 2008 and September 22, 2008;

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the SEC on March 24, 1986, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and

 

•

The description of the depositary preferred stock purchase rights associated with our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, filed with the SEC on July 23, 2004, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and before the termination of the offering shall also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including our compensation committee report and performance graph or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

To obtain a copy of these filings at no cost, you may write or telephone us at the following address:

The Stanley Works

1000 Stanley Drive

New Britain, Connecticut 06053

Attention: Treasurer

(860) 225-5111

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in the prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus. Exhibits to the filings will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have specifically been incorporated by reference into such documents.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement contain or incorporate statements that are “forward-looking” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Those statements include trend analyses and other information relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results as well as other statements that can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “may,” “should,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “objectives,” or other similar expressions. Our actual results, performance or achievements could be materially different from the results expressed in, or implied by, those forward-looking statements. Those statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in this prospectus any accompanying prospectus supplement and other documents incorporated by reference. When considering those forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risks, uncertainties and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference.

A variety of factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expected results expressed in our forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference, including the “Risk Factors,” “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our reports and other documents filed with the SEC. Factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those we contemplate by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities:

 

•

inability to maintain and improve the overall profitability of our operations;

 

•

inability to limit the impact of steel and other commodity and material price inflation through price increases and other measures;

 

•

inability to capitalize on future acquisition opportunities and fund other initiatives;

 

•

inability to invest in routine business needs;

 

•

inability to efficiently and promptly integrate recent (as well as future) acquisitions and achieve anticipated synergies;

 

•

failure to continue improvements in productivity and cost reductions in all aspects of our operations;

 

•

failure to identify and effectively execute overhead cost reduction opportunities;

 

•

inability to generate free cash flow and maintain strong credit metrics;

 

•

inability to successfully settle routine tax audits;

 

•

inability to access credit markets under satisfactory terms;

 

•

inability to negotiate satisfactory payment terms for the purchase and sale of goods, material and products;

 

•

inability to sustain the success of our marketing and sales efforts, including our ability to recruit and retain an adequate sales force and to maintain its customer base;

 

•

inability of the sales force to adapt to any changes made in the sales organization and achieve adequate customer coverage;

 

•

inability to stimulate demand for our products;

 

•

inability to develop and introduce new products and identify and develop new markets;

 

•

loss of significant volumes of sales from our larger customers;

 

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•

inability to maintain current production rates in our manufacturing facilities, to respond to significant changes in product demand, or to fulfill demand for new and existing products;

 

•

inability to implement, manage and maintain our operating systems effectively;

 

•

inability to continue successfully managing and defending claims and litigation;

 

•

increased pricing pressures and other changes from customers and competitors and the inability to defend market share in the face of competition;

 

•

continued consolidation of customers, particularly in consumer channels;

 

•

inventory management pressures on our customers;

 

•

changes in trade, monetary, tax and fiscal policies and laws;

 

•

the final geographic distribution of future earnings and the effect of currency exchange fluctuations and impact of dollar/foreign currency exchange and interest rates on the competitiveness of products, our debt program and our cash flow;

 

•

the strength of the United States and global economies;

 

•

the impact of events that cause or may cause disruption in our distribution and sales networks, such as war, terrorist activities, political unrest, and recessionary or expansive trends in world economies;

 

•

inability to mitigate cost increases generated by, for example, continued increases in the cost of energy or significant Chinese Renminbi or other currency appreciation; and

 

•

failure to recruit and train new employees.

There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by us will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Please take into account that forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus or, in the case of any accompanying prospectus supplement or documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the date of any such document. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward looking statement if we later become aware that it is not likely to be achieved. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in reports to the SEC.

 

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THE STANLEY WORKS

The Stanley Works was founded in 1843 by Frederick T. Stanley and incorporated in 1852. We are a diversified worldwide supplier of tools and engineered solutions for professional, industrial and construction and do-it-yourself use, and security solutions for commercial applications. Stanley^® is a brand recognized around the world for quality and value.

Our principal executive office is located at 1000 Stanley Drive, New Britain, Connecticut 06053, and our telephone number is (860) 225-5111. Our website is located at www.stanleyworks.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. See the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (together with any material changes thereto contained in subsequent filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) and those contained in our other filings with the SEC for our most recent fiscal year, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise set forth in the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for general corporate purposes, including the financing of our operations, the possible repayment of short-term indebtedness, and possible business acquisitions. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

Six Months Ended

Fiscal Year Ended December

June 28 2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (a)

4.9x

5.2x

5.1x

7.5x

7.5x

3.9x

 

(a)

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated on a total enterprise basis. For purposes of computing these ratios, earnings represents income from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges are the sum of (i) interest expensed and capitalized, (ii) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, (iii) an estimate of the interest within rental expense, and (iv) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries. Preference security dividend is the amount of pre-tax earnings that is required to pay the dividends on outstanding preference securities. The dividend requirement must be computed as the amount of the dividend divided by (1 minus the effective income tax rate applicable to continuing operations). Earnings is the amount resulting from adding and subtracting the following items. Add the following: (a) Pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries or income or loss from equity investees, (b) fixed charges, (c) amortization of capitalized interest, (d) distributed income of equity investees, and (e) our share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges. From the total of the added items, subtract the following: (a) interest capitalized, (b) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries, and (c) the minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges. Equity investees are investments that you account for using the equity method of accounting. The ratios are based solely on historical financial information.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units that we may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. However, at the time of an offering and sale, this prospectus together with the accompanying prospectus supplement will contain the material terms of the securities being offered.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

As used in this prospectus, debt securities means the debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a stock purchase contract or as part of a stock purchase unit from time to time. The debt securities may either be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities may be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and subordinated debt securities may be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” This prospectus sometimes refers to the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture collectively as the “Indentures.” The Indentures have been filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference in the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus forms a part. We may also issue debt securities under a separate, new indenture. If that occurs, we will describe any differences in the terms of any series or issue of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that series or issue.

The following briefly summarizes the material provisions of the Indentures and the debt securities, other than pricing and related terms disclosed in the accompanying prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. You should read the more detailed provisions of the applicable Indenture, including the defined terms, for provisions that may be important to you. You should also read the particular terms of an offering of debt securities, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. Copies of the Indentures may be obtained from The Stanley Works or the applicable trustee.

As used in this “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “The Stanley Works,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include our subsidiaries.

General

The debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all of our present and future senior indebtedness to the extent and in the manner set forth in the Subordinated Indenture.

Since our operations are partially conducted through our subsidiaries, the cash flow and the consequent ability to service our indebtedness, including the debt securities, is partially dependent upon the earnings of our subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings or upon the payments of funds by those subsidiaries to us. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the debt securities or to make funds available to us, whether by dividends, loans or other

 

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payments. In addition, the payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to us by our subsidiaries may be subject to contractual or statutory restrictions, are contingent upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and are subject to various business considerations. Any right we may have to receive assets of any of our subsidiaries upon their liquidation or reorganization (and the consequent right of the holders of our debt securities to participate in those assets) will be effectively subordinated to the claims of such subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors.

The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. We may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable Indenture. The Indentures also do not limit our ability to incur other debt.

Each prospectus supplement will summarize the material terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms may include some or all of the following:

 

•

the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

•

the maturity date or dates of the debt securities;

 

•

the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any;

 

•

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined;

 

•

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive periods during which interest payment periods may be extended;

 

•

whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments;

 

•

the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

•

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions;

 

•

our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation;

 

•

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

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•

the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount;

 

•

the currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars;

 

•

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

•

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable Indenture;

 

•

the application, if any, of the terms of the Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities;

 

•

whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities;

 

•

the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property;

 

•

whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated debt securities;

 

•

any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an Event of Default;

 

•

the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;

 

•

any special tax implications of the debt securities;

 

•

any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities; and

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

Subordination

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions, including the extent of subordination of payments by us of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such subordinated debt securities.

The Subordinated Indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Certain Covenants

Except as set forth below or in any indenture supplemental to the Indentures or in a board resolution of ours establishing a series of securities under the Indentures, the Indentures will not:

 

•

limit the amount of indebtedness or lease obligations that may be incurred by us and our subsidiaries; or

 

•

contain provisions which would give holders of the notes the right to require us to repurchase their notes in the event of a decline in the credit rating of our debt securities resulting from a change in control, recapitalization or similar restructuring or in the case of any other event.

Limitation on Liens

The Senior Indenture provides that if we or any Restricted Subsidiary (as described below) shall issue, assume or guarantee any evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed (“Indebtedness”) secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien (“Mortgage”) on any Principal Property (as described below), or shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, we will secure or cause such Restricted Subsidiary to secure any debt securities issued under the Senior Indenture (the “Senior Securities”) equally and ratably with such secured Indebtedness, unless the aggregate amount of all such secured Indebtedness, together with all Attributable Debt (as described below) outstanding pursuant to the first paragraph of the “Limitation on Sale and Lease-back Transactions” covenant described below, would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth. The Subordinated Indenture does not contain a similar limitation on liens.

Such limitation will not apply to Indebtedness secured by (a) Mortgages on property of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) Mortgages on any property existing at the date of the indenture or at the time of acquisition by us or a Restricted Subsidiary (including acquisition through merger or consolidation), (c) Mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to us or to another Restricted Subsidiary, (d) purchase money and construction Mortgages entered into within specified time limits, (e) mechanics’ liens, tax liens, liens in favor of any governmental body to secure progress, advance or other payments or the acquisition of real or personal property from any governmental body pursuant to contract or provision of statute, any other liens, charges and encumbrances incidental to construction, conduct of business or ownership of property of ours or any Restricted Subsidiary which were not incurred in connection with borrowing money, obtaining advances or credits or the acquisition of property and in the aggregate do not materially impair use of any Principal Property or which are being contested in good faith, or (f) any extension, renewal or replacement of any of the aforementioned Mortgages not in excess of the principal amount of such Indebtedness plus the fee incurred in connection with such transaction.

Limitation on Sale and Lease-back Transactions

The Senior Indenture provides that neither we nor any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into any sale and lease-back transaction involving any Principal Property unless the aggregate amount of all Attributable Debt with respect to such transactions, together with all Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to the first paragraph of the “Limitation on Liens” covenant described above, would not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth (as described below).

Such limitation will not apply to any sale and lease-back transaction if (a) the lease is for a period of not more than three years, (b) the purchaser’s commitment is obtained within a specified period after the acquisition, construction or placing in service of the Principal Property, (c) the rent payable pursuant to such lease is to be reimbursed under a contract with the United States Government or instrumentality or agency thereof, (d) the transaction is between us and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, (e) we or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled as described in “Limitation on Liens,” above, to mortgage such Principal Property without equally and ratably securing the Senior Securities, or (f) we or such Restricted Subsidiary, within 180 days after the effective date of the transaction, apply to the retirement of Senior Securities or other Indebtedness of ours or a Restricted Subsidiary an amount equal to (A) either (i) the lesser of the net proceeds of the sale or transfer or the book value at the date of such sale or transfer of the Principal Property leased, if the transaction is for cash, or (ii) the fair market value of the Principal Property leased, if the transaction is for other

 

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than cash, minus (B) the amount equal to the principal amount of Senior Securities delivered to the trustee within such 180 days for cancellation and the principal amount of Indebtedness voluntarily retired (including any premium or fee paid in connection therewith) within such 180 days.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and we may sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation, provided, among other things, that (a) the corporation formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or the transferee of such assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume by supplemental indenture payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities issued under either the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture and the performance and observance of the Indenture and (b) we or such successor corporation shall not immediately thereafter be in default under the Indenture.

Definition of Certain Terms

“Restricted Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary (as described below) (i) substantially all the property of which is located, or substantially all the business of which is carried on, within the United States, and (ii) which owns a Principal Property; provided, however, that the term shall not include any Subsidiary which is solely or primarily engaged in the business of providing or obtaining financing for the sale or lease of products sold or leased by us or any Subsidiary or which is primarily engaged in the business of a finance company either on a secured or an unsecured basis.

“Principal Property” means all real property and tangible personal property constituting a manufacturing plant located within the United States owned by us or a Restricted Subsidiary, exclusive of (i) motor vehicles, mobile materials-handling equipment and other rolling stock, (ii) office furnishings and equipment, information and electronic data processing equipment, (iii) any property financed through obligations issued by a state or possession of the United States, or any political subdivision or instrumentality of the foregoing, on which the interest is not, in the opinion of tax counsel of recognized standing or in accordance with a ruling issued by the Internal Revenue Service, includable in gross income of the holder by reason of Section 103(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor to such provision) as in effect at the time of the issuance of such obligations, (iv) any real property held for development or sale, or (v) any property the gross book value of which (including related land and improvements thereon and all machinery and equipment included therein without deduction of any depreciation reserves) is less than 10% of Consolidated Net Worth or which our board of directors determines is not material to the operation of our business and our Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means the excess over current liabilities of all assets properly appearing on our consolidated balance sheet after deducting the minority interests of others in Subsidiaries.

A “Subsidiary” is defined to mean any corporation of which at least a majority of all outstanding stock having ordinary voting power in the election of directors of such corporation is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by us or by one or more Subsidiaries of ours or by us and one or more Subsidiaries.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction means, as of the time of the determination, the lesser of (i) the sale price of the Principal Property so leased multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the remaining portion of the base term of the lease included in such transaction and the denominator of which is the base term of such lease, and (ii) the total obligation (discounted to present value at the implicit interest factor, determined in accordance with generally accepted financial practice, included in the rental payments or, if such interest factor cannot readily be determined, at a rate of interest of 10% per annum, compounded semi-annually) of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of property taxes as well as maintenance, repairs, insurance, water rates and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining portion of the base term of lease included in such transaction.

 

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Events of Default

The following events are defined in the Indentures as “Events of Default”:

 

•

default in the payment of any installment of interest on any debt securities in such series for 30 days after becoming due;

 

•

default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any debt securities in such series when due;

 

•

default in the performance of any other covenant for 90 days after notice;

 

•

involuntary acceleration of the maturity of our indebtedness in excess of $10 million for money borrowed which acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled or otherwise cured, or which indebtedness shall not be discharged, within 10 days after notice;

 

•

entry of certain court orders which would require us to make payments exceeding $25 million and where 60 days have passed since the entry of the order without it having been satisfied or stayed;

 

•

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and

 

•

any other Event of Default that may be set forth in the supplemental indenture or board resolution with respect to a particular series of debt securities.

If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing with respect to a series of debt securities, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of such series) of such series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable.

The Indentures provide that the trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities, give the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such default known to it (the term default to mean the events specified above without grace periods); provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the debt securities of such series, the trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities of such series.

We are required to furnish the trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers to the effect that to the best of their knowledge we are not in default in the fulfillment of any of our obligations under the Indentures or, if there has been a default in the fulfillment of any such obligation, specifying each such default. No holder of any debt securities of any particular series shall have any right to institute any judicial or other proceeding with respect to the Indentures, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy unless:

 

•

an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and such holder shall have given the trustee prior written notice of such continuing Event of Default;

 

•

the holders of not less than 25% of the outstanding principal amount of debt securities of a particular series shall have requested the trustee for such series to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default;

 

•

the trustee shall have been offered reasonable indemnity against its costs, expenses and liabilities in complying with such request;

 

•

the trustee shall have failed to institute proceedings 60 days after the receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

 

•

no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given for 60 days by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of a particular series of debt securities outstanding will have the right, subject to certain limitations, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series or exercising any trust or power conferred to the

 

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trustee, and to waive certain defaults. The Indentures provide that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee shall exercise such of its rights and powers under the Indentures, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indentures at the request of any of the holders of debt securities of a particular series unless they shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may discharge or defease our obligations under each Indenture as set forth below.

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the Senior Indenture or the Subordinated Indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee funds or government obligations denominated in U.S. dollars or in the foreign currency in which debt securities of such series are payable in an amount sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on debt securities of such series with respect to principal (and premium and additional amounts, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (if debt securities of such series have become due and payable) or to the maturity thereof or the date of redemption of debt securities of such series, as the case may be.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of or within any series (except for, among other things, the obligation to pay additional amounts, if any, upon the occurrence of certain events of taxation, assessment or governmental charge with respect to payments on debt securities of such series and other obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace temporary or mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, to maintain an office or agency with respect to the debt securities and to hold moneys for payment in trust) (“defeasance”) or (ii) to be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the debt securities of or within any series of debt securities and any omission to comply with such obligations shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to such series of debt securities (“covenant defeasance”), upon the deposit with the relevant Indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient, without reinvestment, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities to maturity. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant Indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee (i) an opinion of counsel stating that the money and government obligations or other property deposited with the trustee to be held in trust will not be subject to any case or proceeding under any Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law, or any decree or order for relief, and (ii) an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

We may exercise our defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

 

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Modification and Waiver

Modification and amendments of the indenture may be made by us and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

 

•

change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any premium or installment of interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, debt securities of any series,

 

•

reduce the principal amount of, or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, debt securities of any series,

 

•

change our obligation to pay additional amounts with respect to debt securities of any series or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount debt securities that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy,

 

•

change the redemption provisions of debt securities of any series or adversely affect the right of repayment at the option of any holder of debt securities of any series,

 

•

change the place of payment or the coin or currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on or any additional amounts with respect to debt securities of any series is payable,

 

•

impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or after the stated maturity of debt securities of any series,

 

•

reduce the percentage in principal amount of an outstanding series of debt securities, the consent of whose holders is required in order to take certain actions,

 

•

reduce the requirements for quorum or voting by holders of a particular series of debt securities in Section 15.4 of the Indentures,

 

•

modify any of the provisions in the Indentures regarding the waiver of past defaults and the waiver of certain covenants by the holders of a particular series of debt securities except to increase any percentage vote required or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indentures cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each debt security of such series affected thereby,

 

•

make any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any series of debt security into or for our common stock or other securities in accordance with its terms, or

 

•

modify any of the above provisions.

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive any past default and its consequences under the Indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series, except a default:

 

•

in the payment of principal of (or premium, if any), any interest on or any additional amounts with respect to debt securities of such series; or

 

•

in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security of any series.

Under the Indentures, we are required to furnish the trustee annually a statement as to performance by us of certain of our obligations under the Indentures and as to any default in such performance. We are also required to deliver to the trustee, within five days after occurrence thereof, written notice of any Event of Default or any event which after notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

 

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Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us and located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Denominations, Registrations and Transfer

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holder’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.

A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:

 

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or

 

•

We determine, in our sole discretion, that the global security shall be exchangeable.

If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the Indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

Governing Law

The Indentures are and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law of the State of New York).

 

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Regarding the Trustee

The Senior Indenture Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as successor trustee to JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., and the Subordinated Indenture Trustee is HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The Trustees are permitted to engage in other transactions with us and our subsidiaries from time to time, provided that if the trustees acquire any conflicting interest they must eliminate such conflict upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, or else resign.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other debt securities. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following summary description of our capital stock is based on the provisions of the Connecticut Business Corporation Act, or CBCA, our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our bylaws, as amended. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the CBCA, and to the terms of the restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” As used in this “Description of Capital Stock,” the terms “The Stanley Works,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Stanley Works, a Connecticut corporation, and do not, unless otherwise specified, include the subsidiaries of this Connecticut corporation.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $2.50 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, without par value. The number of authorized shares of any class may be increased or decreased by an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation proposed by our board of directors and approved by a majority of voting shares voted on the issue at a meeting at which a quorum exists.

Common Stock

Each shareholder of record of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on every matter properly submitted to the shareholders for their vote. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. After satisfaction of the dividend rights of holders of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled ratably to any dividend declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for this purpose.

Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available, if any, after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

Holders of our common stock have no redemption or conversion rights, no sinking fund provisions and no preemptive right to subscribe for or purchase additional shares of any class of our capital stock.

The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and nonassessable, and any shares of common stock issued in an offering pursuant to this prospectus and any shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of common stock warrants or conversion or exchange of debt securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, or in connection with the obligations of a holder of stock purchase contracts to purchase our common stock, when issued in accordance with their terms will be fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

This section describes the general terms and provisions of preferred stock that we are authorized to issue. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the shares of preferred stock offered through that prospectus supplement, as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those shares of preferred stock. We will file a copy of the certificate of amendment to our certificate of incorporation that contains the terms of each new series of preferred stock with the Secretary of the State of Connecticut and with the SEC each time we issue a new series of preferred stock. Each such certificate of amendment will establish the number of shares included in a designated series and fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences and rights of the shares of each series as well as any applicable qualifications, limitations or restrictions. You should refer to the applicable certificate of amendment as well as our certificate of incorporation before deciding to buy shares of our preferred stock as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Our board of directors has been authorized to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of our preferred stock in multiple series without the approval of shareholders. With respect to each series of our preferred stock, our board of directors has the authority to fix the following terms:

 

•

the designation of the series;

 

•

the number of shares within the series;

 

•

whether dividends are cumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends are cumulative;

 

•

the rate of any dividends, any conditions upon which dividends are payable, and the dates of payment of dividends;

 

•

whether the shares are redeemable, the redemption price and the terms of redemption;

 

•

the amount payable to you for each share you own if we dissolve or liquidate;

 

•

whether the shares are convertible or exchangeable, the price or rate of conversion or exchange, and the applicable terms and conditions;

 

•

any restrictions on issuance of shares in the same series or any other series;

 

•

voting rights applicable to the series of preferred stock; and

 

•

any other rights, priorities, preferences, restrictions or limitations of such series.

Your rights with respect to your shares of preferred stock will be subordinate to the rights of our general creditors. Shares of our preferred stock that we issue in accordance with their terms will be fully paid and nonassessable, and will not be entitled to preemptive rights unless specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our ability to issue preferred stock, or rights to purchase such shares, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. For example, we could impede a business combination by issuing a series of preferred stock containing class voting rights that would enable the holders of such preferred stock to block a business combination transaction. Alternatively, we could facilitate a business combination transaction by issuing a series of preferred stock having sufficient voting rights to provide a required percentage vote of the shareholders. Additionally, under certain circumstances, our issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. Although our board of directors is required to make any determination to issue any preferred stock based on its judgment as to the best interests of our shareholders, our board of directors could act in a manner that would discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of our shareholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which shareholders might receive a premium for their stock over prevailing market prices of such stock. Our board of directors does not at present intend to seek shareholder approval prior to any issuance of currently authorized stock, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Other Agreements

The rights of our shareholders and related matters are governed by the CBCA, the certificate of incorporation, the bylaws and the Rights Agreement, dated January 19, 2006, which is referred to herein as the Rights Agreement. Provisions of the CBCA, the certificate of incorporation, the bylaws and the Rights Agreement, which are summarized below, may discourage or make more difficult a takeover attempt that shareholders might consider in their best interest. These provisions may also adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock.

 

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Board of Directors

The certificate of incorporation provides that the board of directors will be classified with approximately one-third elected each year. The number of directors will be fixed by the board of directors from time to time. The directors elected by the holders of common stock are divided into three classes, designated class I, class II and class III. Each class consists, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. At each annual meeting of shareholders, successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting will be elected for a three-year term. In addition, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease will be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class will hold office for a term that will coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Any vacancy on the board of directors may be filled by the shareholders or by the board of directors, whether such vacancy occurs as a result of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise. The certificate of incorporation also provides that directors elected by the holders of common stock may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings

Under the CBCA our shareholders may take action by written unanimous consent of holders of all of our shares in lieu of an annual or special meeting. Otherwise, shareholders will only be able to take action at an annual or special meeting called in accordance with the bylaws.

The bylaws provide that special meetings of shareholders may only be called by:

 

•

the chairman of the board,

 

•

the president,

 

•

the secretary, or

 

•

the chairman of the board, the president or the secretary upon the written request of the holders of not less than thirty-five percent (35%) of our outstanding voting stock.

In addition, the CBCA provides that a corporation with a class of voting stock registered under the Exchange Act shall hold a special meeting of shareholders if the holders of thirty-five percent (35%) of the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered demand such a meeting.

Advance Notice Requirements for Director Nominations and Other Proposals

Director Nominations. The bylaws contain advance notice procedures with regard to shareholder proposals related to the nomination of candidates for election as directors. These procedures provide that notice of shareholder proposals related to shareholder nominations for the election of directors must be received at our executive offices at least 90 days, but no more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which the proxy statement for the preceding annual meeting was mailed; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be received not later than the close of business 10 days after the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first. Our bylaws require that all directors be shareholders of record.

A shareholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth certain information including:

 

•

the name, and record addresses of the nominating shareholder, and any other person on whose behalf the nomination is being made, and the nominee;

 

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•

the class or series and number of shares of our capital stock which are beneficially or of record owned by the nominating shareholder or such other person;

 

•

a description of all arrangements or understandings between the nominating shareholder or such other person and any nominee(s) in connection with the nomination;

 

•

any other information relating to the nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other solicitations of proxies for election of directors or as otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to the Exchange Act had the nominee been nominated by the board of directors;

 

•

a consent of the nominee to be named in the proxy statement and to serve if elected; and

 

•

a representation that the nominating shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to make such nomination.

Other Proposals. In addition to the procedures for nominating directors, the bylaws also contain notice procedures for other shareholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting. To be timely, we must receive shareholder proposals at least 90 days, but no more than 120 days before the first anniversary of the date on which the proxy statement for the preceding annual meeting was mailed; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is not within 30 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be received not later than the close of business 10 days after the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever occurs first.

A shareholder’s notice to our corporate secretary must be in proper written form and must set forth, as to each matter that shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting:

 

•

a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting that business at the meeting;

 

•

the complete text of any resolutions to be presented;

 

•

the name and record address of that shareholder and any other person on whose behalf the proposal is made;

 

•

the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of our capital stock which are owned beneficially or of record by that shareholder;

 

•

a description of all arrangements or understandings between that shareholder and any such other person in connection with the proposal of that business and any material interest of that shareholder or such other person in that business; and

 

•

a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring that business before the meeting.

Rights Agreement

On January 19, 2006, our board of directors declared a dividend distribution of one right for each share of our common stock outstanding on the close of business on March 10, 2006 and authorized the issuance of one right (as such number may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the terms of the Rights Agreement) per share of our common stock issued between March 10, 2006 and the Distribution Date. Each outstanding share of common stock currently has one half of a share purchase right. Each purchase right may be exercised to purchase one two-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $220.00, subject to adjustment. The rights, which do not have voting rights, expire on March 10, 2016, and may be redeemed by us at a price of $0.01 per right at any time prior to the earlier of the rights’ expiration date or the close of business on the tenth day following the public announcement that a person has acquired beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock.

 

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In the event that we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction, provision shall be made so that each holder of a right (other than a holder who is a 10%-or-more shareowner) shall have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, that number of shares of common stock of the surviving company having a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. Similarly, if anyone becomes the beneficial owner of more than 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock (except pursuant to an offer for all outstanding shares of common stock which the independent directors have deemed to be fair and in our best interest), provision will be made so that each holder of a right (other than a holder who is a 10%-or-more shareowner) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or our other securities) having a market value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.

Antitakeover Legislation

We are subject to the provisions of Section 33-844 of the CBCA which prohibits a Connecticut corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a period of five years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, unless the business combination or the purchase of stock by which such person becomes an interested shareholder is approved by our board of directors, and by a majority of our non-employee directors, prior to the date on which the person becomes an interested shareholder. A “business combination” generally includes mergers, asset sales, some types of stock issuances and other transactions with, or resulting in a disproportionate financial benefit to, the interested shareholder. Subject to exceptions, an “interested shareholder” is a person who owns 10% or more of our voting power, or is an affiliate or associate of The Stanley Works and owned 10% or more of our voting power within the past five years.

Under our certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote by the holders of 80% of our outstanding voting stock is required for the approval or authorization of any business combination involving an interested shareholder. This voting requirement does not apply if:

 

•

2/3 of our disinterested directors expressly approve the proposed business combination; or

 

•

The following conditions are satisfied:

 

•

The cash and fair market value of other consideration received on a per share basis by each shareholder is no less than the highest share price (or the equivalent value) paid by the interested shareholder in acquiring our capital stock; and

 

•

A proxy statement is mailed to all shareholders of the corporation for the purpose of soliciting shareholder approval of the business combination.

This 80% vote is required even if no vote or a lesser percentage is required by any applicable laws. Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of our outstanding shares of capital stock is required to modify this section of our certificate of incorporation.

Notwithstanding the 80% vote required by our certificate of incorporation, we are also subject to Section 33-841 and Section 33-842 of the CBCA. These provisions generally require business combinations with an interested shareholder to be approved by the board of directors and then by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

•

the holders of 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our voting stock; and

 

•

the holders of 2/3 of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our voting stock, excluding the voting stock held by the interested shareholder;

unless the consideration to be received by the shareholders meets certain price and other requirements set forth in Section 33-842 of the CBCA or unless the board of directors of the corporation has by resolution determined to exempt business combinations with that interested shareholder prior to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder.

 

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We are also subject to Section 33-756(d) of the CBCA, generally requiring directors acting with respect to mergers, sales of assets and other specified transactions to consider, in determining what they reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation, specified interests, including those of the corporation’s employees, customers, creditors and suppliers and any community in which any office or other facility of the corporation is located.

Limitation of Liability of Directors

The certificate of incorporation contains provisions permitted under the CBCA relating to the personal liability of directors. The provisions limit the personal liability to us or our shareholders of a director for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director to an amount that is not more than the compensation received by that director for serving us during the year of the violation. Our bylaws provide for the indemnification and reimbursement of, and advances of expenses to, any person that is made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he or she:

 

•

is or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or

 

•

served at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation.

Our bylaws provide for indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Connecticut law.

Listing.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWK.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar.

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, LLC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

This section describes the general terms and provisions of our warrants to acquire our securities that we may issue from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrant agreements and the warrants issuable thereunder. If any particular terms of the warrants described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or securities of third parties or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities, and they may be attached to or separate from the other securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement that we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation, or agency or trust relationship, with you. We will file a copy of the warrant and warrant agreement with the SEC each time we issue a series of warrants, and these warrants and warrant agreements will be incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. A holder of our warrants should refer to the provisions of the applicable warrant agreement and prospectus supplement for more specific information.

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants will describe the terms of those warrants, including, when applicable:

 

•

the offering price;

 

•

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of the warrants may be payable;

 

•

the number of warrants offered;

 

•

the securities underlying the warrants, including the securities of third parties or other rights, if any, to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

•

the exercise price and the amount of securities you will receive upon exercise;

 

•

the procedure for exercise of the warrants and the circumstances, if any, that will cause the warrants to be automatically exercised;

 

•

the rights, if any, we have to redeem the warrants;

 

•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which the warrants will expire;

 

•

the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

•

the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

•

U.S. federal income tax consequences;

 

•

the name of the warrant agent; and

 

•

any other material terms of the warrants.

After your warrants expire they will become void. All warrants will be issued in registered form. The prospectus supplement may provide for the adjustment of the exercise price of the warrants.

 

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Warrants may be exercised at the appropriate office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of warrants, holders will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon exercise and will not be entitled to payments made to holders of those securities.

The applicable warrant agreement may be amended or supplemented without the consent of the holders of the warrants to which it applies to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of warrants will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the applicable warrants then outstanding approve the amendment. Every holder of an outstanding warrant at the time any amendment becomes effective, by continuing to hold the warrant, will be bound by the applicable warrant agreement as amended. The prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of warrants may provide that certain provisions of the warrants, including the securities for which they may be exercisable, the exercise price and the expiration date, may not be altered without the consent of the holder of each warrant.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we do so, we may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

We have summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time we issue depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you. If any particular terms of the depositary agreements and the related depositary receipts described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the Bank Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action that the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

 

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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

Charges of Bank Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the Bank Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

Miscellaneous

The Bank Depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the Bank Depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.

Neither the Bank Depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the Bank Depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and we will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

The Bank Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Bank Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Bank Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor Bank Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as stock purchase contracts. The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as stock purchase units. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. This description is not complete and the description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference is made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. If any particular terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units described in the prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described herein, then the terms described herein will be deemed superseded by that prospectus supplement. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

•

to underwriters for resale to purchasers;

 

•

directly to purchasers; or

 

•

through agents or dealers to purchasers.

In addition, The Stanley Works may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York and Bruce H. Beatt, our general counsel. If the validity of any securities is also passed upon by counsel for the underwriters of an offering of those securities, that counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering. Mr. Beatt beneficially owns and has rights to acquire less than one percent of our common stock.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and schedule of The Stanley Works and subsidiaries for the year ended December 29, 2007 appearing in The Stanley Works’ Current Report (Form 8-K) dated September 22, 2008, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing in The Stanley Works’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 22, 2008 and the effectiveness of The Stanley Works and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 29, 2007 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing in The Stanley Works’ 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Both reports are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedule are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in account and auditing.

 

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$                    

    % Notes due 2013

The Stanley Works

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

September     , 2008

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Banc of America Securities LLC		Citi

 

 

Co-Manager

Wachovia Securities